“What thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers?”
The full verse · Matthew 17:25 · KJV
He , . he was the , , , , ? the of the ? their , ?
Asked by
Jesus: the Son of God and promised Messiah, who spoke to Peter first when he came into the house (Matthew 17:25)
Asked to
Peter: Simon called Peter, one of the twelve apostles, who had just told the collectors that his Master paid tribute (Matthew 17:24-25)
The Scene
After Peter tells the collectors that his Master pays tribute, he comes into the house, and Jesus speaks to him before Peter can say anything (Matthew 17:24-25).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionJesus already knew what had happened outside. Barnes explains the word "prevented" as "to go before, or precede": Jesus spoke first. Gill sees here the knowledge of Christ, who knew the question put to Peter though He was not there.
Jesus asks in order to lead Peter to a truth his "Yes" had passed over. Kings do not tax their own sons. Barnes notes that "this was a religious, and not a civil tax," paid for the service of God's house. If Jesus is the Son of the God whose house it is, He owes nothing. The first question invites Peter to think; the next two lead him step by step to the answer.
The Response
What Scripture recordsPeter answered, "Of strangers." Jesus drew the conclusion: "Then are the children free" (Matthew 17:26). Yet He did not claim His freedom. "Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them," He sent Peter to the sea to catch a fish. In its mouth Peter would find "a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee" (Matthew 17:27). Barnes notes the coin was "sufficient to pay the tribute for two."
Historical Context
The world behind the wordsIn older English "prevented" meant "went before." The Greek verb is prophthano, to anticipate or get ahead of someone, which is why the ESV says Jesus "spoke to him first."
Jesus names two kinds of payment. "Custom" translates tele, tolls or duties on goods. "Tribute" translates kensos, a word borrowed from the Latin census, meaning a tax on each person. "Children" is huioi, sons, and "strangers" is allotrioi, those who belong to someone else. In a king's household, the sons were not the ones taxed.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyWith one quiet question Jesus tells Peter who He is. The temple tribute was paid to God. Jesus speaks as the Son of that King, and so as One who is free. Gill says this is so because He was "the Son of the King of kings."
Yet the Son chooses to pay. "Lest we should offend them" (Matthew 17:27) shows that Jesus would rather give up a right than put a stumbling block in front of others. And He includes Peter: the coin was "for me and thee." The One who knew the fish and the coin in its mouth also provided for His disciple's need.
Look Closer
What does "Jesus prevented him" mean here?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord Jesus, You were free and still paid so that no one would stumble; is there a right I am holding onto that You want me to lay down in love?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- Jesus gave up a right He truly had. What makes it hard for you to let go of something you are entitled to?
- Tell about a time someone set aside their own rights so that you would not be hurt or hindered.
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
Jesus was free, and He knew it, but He paid anyway "lest we should offend them" (Matthew 17:27). Being right and insisting on your rights are not the same thing. Sometimes love chooses to give a little more than you owe so that others are not pushed away.
This does not mean you should go along with anything to keep the peace. Matthew Henry says, "We must never decline our duty for fear of giving offence." Jesus did not give up obeying God; He gave up a payment He could have refused.
And notice that He paid "for me and thee." When Jesus asks you to give, He knows how to provide.
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources